The French football legend Thierry Henry has openly criticised the quality of officiating at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), saying the referees handling matches at the tournament are not operating at the level expected of such a major competition.
The former Arsenal star made the comments after the controversial final between Morocco and Senegal, a match that ended amid heated protests and nearly saw Senegalese players walk off the pitch over disputed officiating decisions.
Speaking on CBS Sports Golazo, Henry said several of the controversies witnessed at AFCON were the result of poor officiating, stressing that referees were not adequately prepared for the intensity and quality of football on display.
“The referees are not at the level of the show,” Henry said. “A lot of what happens in these tournaments comes from referee mistakes. I’m not blaming the referees themselves, but those responsible for training and preparing them to match the standard of the football we are watching.”
The final was overshadowed by major incidents, including a disallowed goal for Senegal’s Ismaila Sarr and a late penalty awarded to Morocco’s Brahim Díaz, both of which sparked outrage from the Senegalese camp.
While Henry said he understood Senegal’s frustration, he strongly condemned the team’s attempt to abandon the match, describing it as unacceptable.
“Trying to leave the field was wrong. That’s not the image you want to give, not for African football and not for football anywhere in the world,” he said.
Reflecting on his long-standing admiration for the tournament, Henry revealed that his love for AFCON began in 1988 when Morocco hosted the competition and Cameroon defeated Nigeria 1–0 in the final.
He described AFCON as a platform that has consistently showcased world-class talent, noting that African greats such as Didier Drogba, Samuel Eto’o and Austin ‘Jay-Jay’ Okocha first made their mark on the global stage through the tournament.
Meanwhile, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) has suspended Senegal head coach Pape Thiaw, as investigations into the incidents surrounding the final continue.
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